Shoulder pain poll (whos got it and how much?)

My arm always seems to hurt just a little when i raise it above my arm. Whats up with that? I should have allowed checking of more than 1 box, but dont want to do the whole post again. If you fall into the last box catagory, please share your pain and what you may have done to help/prevent (especially physical therepy/ exersises/doctor info) If you have different pains (like my sidearm pain and tomahawk pain, but only for the moment I throw and then subsides). Post up. Im taking it easy on those parts hoping it will heal completely. Im sure i should be doing some exersises but dont know what. Any help?

[the_kid]

Sorry my 16 year old arm doesn't hurt YET but it will in time.

[ching_lizard]

Hey Roc - How are you carrying your discs around? If you carry a bag, and you aren't using Quad-Shock/Golf Pak straps, then that might be part of your soreness issue.

It took me a long time to figure out that my soreness issue was related to carrying around a bag with a single strap. I guess subconciously, I was always hunching up one shoulder to keep the bag strap on it. I finally started carrying it by draping the strap all the way across my head bandoleta-style and things started improving. (Now I use Quad-Shocks and I never have shoulder pain any more.)

As part of my workout, I carry about 34 discs and half gallon water around. I always use my left shoulder and left hand. I also rigged up a strap system for long hauls. Its funny, my right shoulder, when raised, only really gives me slight pain when I HAVENT played in a while. The reason I posted up is so i could verify that its no big deal and i shouldnt take time off.

[the_kid]

As part of my workout, I carry about 34 discs and half gallon water around. I always use my left shoulder and left hand. I also rigged up a strap system for long hauls. Its funny, my right shoulder, when raised, only really gives me slight pain when I HAVENT played in a while. The reason I posted up is so i could verify that its no big deal and i shouldnt take time off.

34 discs that is your problem.

[jonS]

Roc Steady,

When I started playing I used to have a fairly sore arm similar to what you are talking about. I don't know of any way around soreness if you are throwing many long tomahawks/thumbers, but I've basically eliminated having shoulder soreness/pain/stress caused by my backhand throws by working on my technique.

In a quest to get more distance, I spent some time working on the form of my throw and managed to add loads of distance, while also using my shoulder a lot less. You should find a local pro or local dg stud to teach you how to work on your form. Basically, you'll want to be getting your power more from your legs, hips, and back. I think discgolfreview.com may have some good tips if you don't know anybody really good, but it's tricky to read something and determine how well you are imitating what you read. Driving/practicing getting distance with a putter/midrange is probably the best way to refine your form fast.

FYI, I have a single strap bag (~15 discs (7 different disc molds)) and can easily play 50 longer holes (usually throwing multiple discs on a hole for fun) in an afternoon and feel no soreness in my shoulder day of or day after. My feet and back are typically where I start to get tired first.

That said, I'm just guessing you use too much shoulder in your throw. Your bag does sound a little on the heavy side....most every really excellent player that I run into use fewer than 10 discs(probably only 5 molds)..

Hope this helps,
Jon

[Dick]

34 discs? carry less discs, it will help.

[quickdisc]

30 what !!!!!! C'mon..............12-14 is the most you'll need to carry. Thin the bag some. Unless your playing over water alot .

Your shoulder will be in less pain.
Also , invest in a good pair of Quad Shocks !!!!

I don't know of any way around soreness if you are throwing many long tomahawks/thumbers

i've recentally been throwing way to many thumbers and the anterior part of my elbow is paying the price. I'll get through nine holes and my elbow will just be throbbing. but I think i've found the perfect mix of heat, asprin, ice, and scotch.

[jugggg]

I hate when I raise my arm above my arm. What does that mean Roc? Lol I know your problem. Too many manhattans



I don't know why but it always seems like my tee time is 4:20

[Lyle O Ross]

Way back when I was young I wiped out my shoulder and now I fight constant tendonitis. If I do my exercizes (from my physical therapist) then it isn't too bad. Tomahawks, thumbers and forehands all seem to exacerbate the condition as well as too much play in a given period (no single days worth of play is bad, but several hard days in a row can cause it to act up).

I stretch a lot and take ibuprofin before rounds on tournament days. I use a cart so I'm not carrying a bag.

Also, proper technique seems to help a lot. The harder I throw with my arm the more it bothers me. Getting a late hard hit is the best.

[Parkntwoputt]

I get the most pain after throwing on a really long course, ie +8000ft or from playing alot of long holes that require alot of 400ft drives.

I believe it is from my follow through, my arm flies really far back and rebounds like an elastic band. I can usually feel the pain deep in my rotor cuff. Usually a day or two off after that strenuous of exerection makes the pain go away. Proper stretching before hand also allows me to play longer on those long holes.

[quickdisc]

You are right !!!!! Pre - warm up , helps the muscles get warm and loose. I'm almost 50 , so I can't just jump out of my car , last second , and start throwing 400+ right away. I'm not 20 years old anymore ( Sometimes ).

Know your self and don't be foolish ! Do what you think is best for you ! Lots of good advice out there. [img]/msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[Znash]

Sorry, but I do not have shoulder pain, back pain, or any other kind of pain that could be related to disc golf. My advice would be to learn how to play disc golf with out herting your self.

hey...just take it easy. i had the same problem a couple of weeks ago. i posted something like this asking for advice. my problem was my shoulder just throbbed in pain after playing only one round or so. since the beginning of spring, i averaged about 5 rounds of nine per day. i think that might have overused my shoulder. anyway, i took a couple of weeks off and have been playing a lot recently...i just played 6 rounds of nine yesterday...and no pain. so basically...take it easy.

[stevev]

I would highly recommend going to a professional massage therapist that knows how to do what I'll call "pressure point" massages. I just completed my third session in the past two weeks with a professional therapist today. What a relief of the major pain I'd been having for about the past seven weeks! (Please, no dirty massage replies to this post-you sick bast-rds)

I think I originally strained/pulled some of the muscles in my shoulder and arm when I was acting young and throwing as hard as I could at a fast-pitch pitching clinic I was helping out with for my daughters softball team. A few days later at leagues, I had a major sharp pain all through my shoulders and arm when I threw my drive on the third hole. Being the studly man that I am, I kept playing the remaining 15 holes, yelling out in pain on each of the 15 remaining drives. That's where I screwed up, I kept playing in pain.

Anyway, I messed up my old (46yrs) muscles so bad I couldn't throw more than 40 ft without severe pain and have been trying to learn to drive with my opposite arm. I also don't like going to the doctor. It was even painfull to shift the gear shift in to drive, figuratively and literally.

In conclusion, if it hurts to throw, stop throwing. If you have pain in the shoulder/arm, get a message from someone who knows what she is doing. Good luck. GO CARDINALS !!!!!!!!!

[Blarg]

Lyle:
You should change your follow-through. Sounds as if you're stopping it prematurely. Follow all the way through even if it means spinning completely around to 'follow' your arm.
I've found that when I follow through properly (not often enough), I have no pain at all. I also throw farther when my follow through is complete.

[stevemaerz]

Yeah, I got some shoulder pain. I figured out it's from tendon inpingement. There's a tendon (supraspinus (sp)) that runs through the shoulder joint along the top of the deltoids that becomes inflamed and subsequently pinched against the clavicle.
The main reason I have this problem is a hereditary factor that has the gap between the joint and clavicle abnormally small. Anyway, the solution is to do rotator cuff specific exercises that will stabilize the joint and minimize friction between the tendon and clavicle bone. The various exercises are explained in detail at various medical sites if you google rotator cuff or shoulder pain. These exercises are done with very light weights (2-6lbs) high reps (20-30) and slow pace (3 sec up, 6 sec down) and followed by icing the area to reduce inflammation.
My dad had the same pain I'm experiencing now, last year (he is a die hard tennis player) and he said three weeks of rotator cuff exercises coupled with a NSAID (ibufrofen) had him pain free and back out on the court.
I hope this helps someone.

[flynvegas]

My rotator cup problem prevents me from throwing a thumber or tomahawk. Today while playing I got myself behind a large group of tree's with no way under. I was playing with the owner of discgolfvalues and he showed me a "Hook Thumber" shot. Perfect replacement throw with no pain.

Well, I did it again...I was on a cement tee pad (normally I play natural) the toe of my non plant foot drug and got caught on the tee, which led to my shoulder popping out, and I had to hit it on a tree to set it back in place....I'm still a bit sore.

ARGH! I really screwed up my shoulder yesterday. I just had to do a forehand roller! God i wish i could take that shot back. I thought I just hurt my tommy/sidearm muscles or ligaments like before. My next shot earned me some serious pain and a crunchy feeling in my arm. I tried to play lefty but some of the guys i was playing with started whinning i was taking to long. Specially one guy. It was like that one bad shot i took completely and ezeally busted his swollen uterus. Beotch juice everywhere! Anyway, thanks to my friend giving me 800mg Motrin, I was able to kind of float through it all. Playing off handed feels EXACTLY like when i first threw a disc. I do think I can learn it tho. MRI, here I come.

[jugggg]

800 mg motrin... Never leave home without it. You are welcome Roc Steady. And thanks for not taking my advice of popping a couple more and finishing out the round. Coulda done some real damage.
As for your left handed round.... Its not the throws whether they be good or bad. Its the 5 minute discussion about your throw before you throw it on EVERY throw. I think Yogi Berra woulda liked that one.

Heal up Beotch